Stick handling mechanism



June 15, 194-3. H. SIEMUND STICK HANDLING MECHANISM Eild May 10, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet l f LlJ IT I Y 0. E

mm W l A m & W 8 w June 15, 1943. H, SIEMUND 2,321,632

STICK HANDLING MECHANISM Filed May 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 4/0} I 7 5416 film '1 j I l/ Patented June 15, 1943 STICK HANDLING MECHANISM HermanSiemund, Chicago, 111;,

assignor to Greenview Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Illinois Application May 10, 1941, Serial-No. 392,855

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus forsimultaneously locking, manipulating and releasing a plurality of handlemembers, such as wooden handle sticks of the type used extensively inthe candy and ice cream industries, in the manufacture of stickconfectionery products, and it has particular relation to a portabletype of apparatus adapted to receive, vertically position inhorizontally spaced relation, manipulate and release a plurality of suchhandle members simultaneously in a most efficient, sanitary andeconomical manner.

There are many types of apparatus in common use capable of performingthe particular functions for which the present, apparatus has beendesigned, but most of them are so constructed that it is impossible toclean them thoroughly. Sanitary requirements for such types ofapparatusare constantly becoming more exacting until, at the present time in somesections of the country, it has become impossible to obtain permis sionof the health authorities. to use any such apparatus unless it iscapable of being dismantled completely for cleaning thoroughly. Undersuch conditions, it is obviously necessary to devise a type of stickhandling apparatus that can be quickly and efiiciently dismantled,cleaned and reassembled without the necessity of tools, removal offastening parts, etc., such as bolts, nuts and complicated lockingmeans.

With the present invention I have provided a simple, inexpensive anddurable portable stick handling apparatus of ahighly sanitaryconstruction, which is readily separable into three main parts, each ofwhich consists essentially of a large flat plate having unobstructedsurfaces that may be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized" with a minimumof time and efiort, and reassembled by any inexperienced person withoutthe" necessity of tools, separable fastening means, etc. I

An object of the present invention-is to'provide' a simple, inexpensiveand durable stickhandling apparatus which will positively engage andlook without permanently binding a plurality of handle sticks in spacedrelation regardless of great variations in their width and thicknessdimensions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable stickhandling apparatus consisting of a pluralityof separable flat surfacememberg which may be quickly and easily disassembled-for cleaningpurposes, and which is devoid handling apparatus consisting of-aplurality of relativelylarge'fiat separable members that may beinexpensively fabricatedby stamping opera tions, and which are eachsubstantially free of inaccessible corners, movable parts requiringlu-'brication, all of which features are capable of collecting andharboring dirt, bacteria; etc-., and rendering thorough cleaning andsterilizingv extremely difficult.

A furtherobject of the invention'ris to provide simple and efficientmanipulating mechanism for such type of apparatus-which like the severalplate members, may-be readily dismantledfor cleaning purposes,and-thereafter quickly reasi ,sembled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of asimple,-inexpensive-and efficient manipulat- I ingmechanism which, whendismantled, has no separable parts that may become lost'or mislaid'during the cleaning operation, or any parts that of any'fastening meanssuch as screws, nuts and may be separated from :theseveral main plateswherebyv they may not be subjected to the same cleaning operation assaid main plates, or require-separate cleaning operations.

A further'objectof the invention'is to'p'rovide' a simple, inexpensiveand'efficient manipulating mechanism for the several plates which maybeadjusted from time-to time forthe purposes of compensating for any wearand tear of its movingparts;

Another object of the invention isthe provision of a simple, practical,rugged and extremely durable portable-stick handling apparatus which isexceedingly light in weight; inexpensivein' construction; capableofconvenient operation;

dismantling and reassemblihg with little time and effort by unskilledoperators; incapable of jamming-or otherwise getting out-of order; dc"-void of mechanism requiring lubrication; and capable of convenient andthorough cleaning and sterilizing quickly andefliciently' in vorder'tomaintainthe high standards'of sanitation required and desired.

Other and-further objects and advantages of the invention reside in thedetailed construction of the apparatus, whichresult in-simplicity,.

economy and efficiency, and which will beappar- .ent from; thefollowingdescription, wherein; a preferred embodimentbfthe invention isshown,

reference being had to the accompanying drawline 3-3 thereof, looking inthe direction of the i arrows;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the assembled carrier shown in Fig.1, the same looking along line 44 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown inFig. 1, the same being.

taken along the line 55 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows,and showing in detail; the one construction of the operating mechanismfor moving the intermediate plate with respect to the top and bottomplate; I J v Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, on a slightly large scale, ofanother construction of a completely detachable operating mechanism forcausing movement of the intermediate plate with respect to the top and'bottomplates, illustrating the detachable features of the handleoperating mechanism; V

.Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view of the mechanism as shown in Fig. 6, thesame being taken along the line ll thereof, locking in the direction ofthe arrows; and r v Fig. 8. is a fragmentary separated view oftheapparatus shown in Figs. 6 and '7, illustrating in detail the variousfeatures of the plates and handle. manipulating mechanism as they look.

when detached from one another.

Referring now to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to'5 of the drawings,there is shown in Fig. 2 a. portable stick handling apparatusconstructed of sheet metal, and preferably of stainless steel, Monelmetal or other stainless metals, consisting of a bottom or base plateiii, a top platell and an intermediate plate [4. These plates are eachseparable from one another, but in assembly and dismantling the platesI2 and it are first superimposed and secured together into a unitarystructure, and then inserted into position within the confines of theflanges of the baseplate l0. 7

The base plate It includes a piece of sheet metal formed to provide aflat horizontal bottom surface, and is provided with a plurality oftriangular apertures |8 spacediin rows longitudinally and transverselyfor the reception of sticks or handle members 23, as indicated in dottedlines. in Fig. 2. The side edges of the plate l0 are bent upwardly toform longitudinally extending integral flanges 22, which are enlargedadjacent opposite ends to provide triangularly shaped upstanding arms24. The upper ends of the arms 24 adjacent each end of the stick holderare connected transversely by handles 26, roviding means formanipulating the entire stick handling mechanism when it is assembled. A

laterally projecting stud 28 is mounted fixedly' outwardly of each ofthe arms 24, and each of said studs are in the same horizontal'plane,providing -means for suspending horizontally the stick handlingmechanism over the upstanding sides of a conventional confectionery moldstructure (not shown). The upper edges of the arms 26 are turnedinwardly to provide inwardly exzbers 20.

. upwardly from the base plate [0, provides a transversely extendingfastening means for securing the unitary secondary structure therein. Apair of studs or binding posts 3E are fixedly secured fon'the lower partof the pair of arms 24 opposite the end having the binding lug 34. Theback inner edges of the arms 24 are inturned, as

-indicated at 38, forming flat abutting surfaces for engaging otherstick handling mechanisms when a series of them are being moved manuallyor otherwise in rows end-to-end as is customary in many manufacturingplants.

The top plate I2 comprises a piece of sheet metal of slightly lesslength than the plates Hi and M, as best shown in Fig. 2, formed toprovide a flat horizontal top surface which is l kewise provided with aplurality of triangular apertures 44 spaced in rows longitudinally andtransversely for the reception of sticks or handle mem- The side edgesof the plate l2 are turned downwardly to form integral longitudinallyextending flanges 46 adapted to fit snugly but slidably within thechannel-like confines of the flanges 22 and 30 of the base plate It). Itwill be noted in Fig, 3 that the flanges 46 extend downwardly for adistance sufficient to telescopiaway, asindicated at 5! (see Fig. 2) forreceiving a and engaging the binding posts or studs 36 on the bottomplate member iii. A stud 56 is provided on the opposite end flange 48upon which is pivotally mounted a latch member 58, having a manipulatingintegral handle member 60 extending therefrom inwardly of the apparatus.The lower end of the latch member 53 is adapted to engage the upwardlyextending binding lug 3d The top plate l2 adjacent the opposite end fromthe latch member 58 is provided with an enlarged' opening 50, the edgesof which are bent downwardly providing end flanges 52 and side flangesi.Between the oppositely extending longitudinal side flanges 54 there ismounted a transverse shaft 62 upon] which are suitably journalledinwardly of its ends a pair of bellcrank levers 64. The extreme outerends of the upwardly extending longer arms 66 of the levers 64 areconnected by a transversely extending handle 68. The short arms 61 ofthe bell-crank levers 64 are likewise connected transversely by,

mountedfon the middle or intermediate plate,

member'l i, as will be hereinafter described. A lug I8 projectsdownwardly from'the underside of each of the short arms 61 of the levers64, as best shown in Fig. 2, and a transversely projecting arm I9extends inwardly therefrom to providemeans for engaging the underside ofthe toggle links I4 to cause them to be moved. up into a horizontalposition when the lever 64 is operated'.

The intermediate plate member it consists of a piece of sheetmetalofslightly less length than the bottom plate IE3 but of greater lengththan the top plate I2, and is likewise provided with a plurality oftriangular apertures 89 spaced in rows longitudinally and transverselyfor the reception of sticks or handle members 29. Theintermediate plateIt is provided with an enlarged aperture 82 for permitting movement ofthe toggle links M therethrough. A pair of upstanding side flanges 84are secured fixedly in any suitable manner to the top side of'the plateI4 adjacent opposite sides of the aperture 82 by riveting, spot-welding,etc., and are adapted to provide a mounting for a transversely extendingfixed rod orshaft 86. The side edges of the intermediate plate It arebent downwardly to form longitudinally extending integral flanges 88which are adapted to fit telescopically within the flanges 46 of the topplate member I2. The bottoms of the flanges 8B are adapted to rest onthe top side of the base plate It and act as guides or runners therefor.It will also be noted that the flanges 88 are of sufjcient depth tospace the plate It substantially mid-way between the underside of thetop plate I2 and the topside of the bottom plate I0.

In assembling the stick handling. mechanism, the top plate I2 issuperimposed over the intermediate plate I4 with the notches it of thetoggl links M engaging the transversely extending shaft 86 fixedlymounted on the intermediate plate I4. In'this position it will. be notedthat the two plates I2 and I l form a unitary assembly or structure,which for convenience may hereafter be termed the secondary structure.The secondary structure is now longitudinally moved into position in thechannel-like frame of the base or bottom plate I by sliding the forwardend with the latch member through until the notches 50 are beyond thelugs 35, and then brought back until positioned thereover as best shownin Figs. 2 and 5.

The pivotal latch. member 58, which had been turned to ahorizontal-position for assembling, is ready now to be moved to itsnormal vertical position until the lower end thereof engages the bindinglug 34. When this is accomplished it will be noted that the secondarystructure is securely locked in the .channel-liketray of the base plateIt! by a wedging action between the binding lug 34 and the binding posts36. To disassemble or dismantle the apparatus, it is necessary only torelease the latch member 58 from thebinding lug 34, lift up thesecondarystructure to clear the binding posts 36 and removethe same fromthe base plate Ill. When the secondary structure is withdrawn from thebase plate Hi. it may likewise be readily separated by merely releasingthe rod 88 from the notches 16 of the toggle links 14, and the twoplates I2 and It are readily separable for Washing, etc.

Referring now to the construction shown in Figs. 6 to 8', bothinclusive, there is shown a similar stick handling apparatus (likenumeralsindicating like parts) having a detachable handle operatingmechanism, and an improved tog-f gle link, which permits adjustment forwear and tear of the moving parts.

The bottom or base plate Iii is of the same construction as thatpreviously described except that the lateral flanges 30 extend theentire length thereof instead of merely along the upstanding arms 24.

The top plate I2 has a pair of spaced longitudinal openings 92 insteadofa single large opening as in the previous construction, and outwardly onopposite sides of said openings is a channel-shaped lug 94 suitablymounted to the plate I2 by rivets or other suitable fastening means 96.Each of the lugs 94 is provided with a transverse recess 98 arcuatelyshaped for receiving or engaging a shaft of the manipulating mechanismhereinafter to be described.

The manipulating mechanism consistsof a pair of bell-crank levers 64A,the larger arms 66 of which are suitably connected at their outer endsby means of a transversely extending handle 68. The bell-crank levers64A are suitably and removably journaled on a transversely extendingshaft I08; halving outwardly projecting studshafts I02 for engaging thenotches 98 of the channel-shaped lugs 94. The short arms 61 of thelevers 64A are likewise connected transversely by a fixed removableshaft I04. A lug I8 projects downwardly from the underside of each' ofthe shorter arms Bl of the levers E i-A, as best shown in Fig. 8, andhas a transversely extending arm I9 projecting inwardly therefrom toprovide means for engaging the underside of the toggle links I06 tobring them into horizontal position with the initial movement of thelevers (id-A. A pair of spaced toggle links M6 is mounted pivotally onthe shaft I414. The toggle links lot are provided intermediate theirends with a V-shaped off-set I08 pointing inwardly toward each other,and at their extreme outer free ends with a notch IIil on theirundersides, as best shown in Fig. 8. The notch H0 is adapted to engagethe shaft 86 of the inter mediate plate. In this construction the shaft86 is permanently mounted on the flanges 84 of the intermediate plate il, but the shafts I00 and I04 are only frictionally secured in the leverarms 65 and Bl. To assemble the operating mechanism shown in Figs. .6 to8, both inclusive, the handle 68 With its bell-crank levers G6 areinserted through the slots 92 of the top plate I2 and then the shaftsI63 and IDA are frictionally positioned therethrough. In the case of theshaft HM, the toggle link I09 must be mounted thereon before its lastend is inserted into position. It will be obvious from this constructionand disclosure in Fig. 8 that after the operating handle mechanism 68 isassembled, it cannot be separated from the top plate 52 withoutwithdrawing the shafts IM and IIM from their respective arms 68 and 6'!of the bell-crank levers 64A into which they have been frictionallyfitted. In assembling the several parts of the apparatus shown in Figs.6 to 8, both inclusive, the top plate I2 is superimposed on theintermediate plate M, with the notches IIil being fitted over the shaft855 and the notches 93 of the channellike lugs E i being fitted over thestud shafts I02,

the plates I2 and I 4 are now assembled into the unitary secondarystructure which is ready to' be'inserted in the tray-like-base plate It.The

and the unitary secondary structure is now slid longitudinally withinthe confines of the base plate I!) and under the lateral flanges 30until the end abuts against the lugs or stops 36; Then the pivotal latchmember 58 is turned by its handle 69 from a horizontal toa verticalposition, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4 until the lower end thereofengages the upstanding lug 34, thereby wedging the unitary secondarystructure between the stops 36 at one end and the lug 34 at the otherend. I

With this arrangement it will be obvious that for cleaning purposes theentire manipulating mechanism may be dismantled, as shown in Fig. 8, andthe same may be cleaned thoroughly without the top plate I2 beingseparated therefrom.

The V-shaped oiT-sets I08 in the toggle links I06 provide means foradjusting the movement of the intermediate plate l4lwith respect to thefixed bottoms and top plates IE3 and to compensate for any wear and teardue to extended use over a long period of time. It has been found thatsuch apparatus requires slight adjustment from time to time throughoutits life to compensate for normal wear and tear. In other types ofapparatus it has been necessary to return the equipment to the factoryfor such adjustments, and generally new knives of larger dimensions wererequired in order to make certain all of the sticks or handle members,which are of exacting dimensions to a tolerance of a thousandth of aninch, would be securely locked therein when in operation. By providingan off-set in the toggle link it is possible with the use of a screwclamp (not shown) toexert enough pressure on these links at the point ofoiT-set to reduce the same permanently, thereby straightening them outand increasing their length sufficiently to'compensate for wear'andtear. This adjustment, which can be made by anyone, eliminates returningthe equipment to the factory when adjustment is desired.

In operating either form of stick handling mechanism the same ispositioned manually over a conventional stick gauging rack (not shown)with the operating handle 58 moved towards the left or center thereof,as best shown in Fig. 5. In thi position it will be noted that thetriangularly shaped apertures 44, 80 and I8 of the plates I2, I4 andIll, respectively, are in vertical alignment, with their bases in aplane with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and the other twosides extending angularly outward transversely thereof with theirrespective vertices pointing in the same direction. The sticks or handlemembers 29 are ready now to be inserted manually or otherwise into thevertically aligned apertures 44, 80 and I2. When each group of alignedapertures 44, 8B and I8 has received a stick or handle member 20, thehandle 68 may be moved towards the right of the apparatus, as best shownin Fig. 2. In this position it will be noted that the handle 68 is movedinto juxtaposition with one of the handles 26 whereby it is in positionto be operated by the fingers of the same hand which is holding saidhandle 26. When the handle 58 is moved to the right as far as possible,the long arms 65 of the bell-crank lever move the short arms 5'! thereofto substantially a horizontal position (as best shown in 2) whichmovement in turn causes the toggle links to be moved by the arms 19 ofthe lugs I8 to a horizontal position and then to the left and toward thecenter of the apparatus. The movement of the handle 68 is laidhorizontally of the top plate I2 toggle links in turn is transmitted tothe shaft 85, which in turn forces the intermediate plate I4 to'the leftan equal distance longitudinally of the apparatus. When the plate. I4 ismoved longitudinally with respect to the stationary plates II) and "I2,its apertures 80 aremoved out of their vertical alignment with theapertures I8 and 44 of the plates III and I 2, respectively, to theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Thus, it will be apparent thatthe sticks or handle members 20 are secured by a wedging action in thevertically aligned apertures I8 and 44 by the sides of the apertures 80exerting a binding pressure thereagainst, The sticks or handle members20 are vertically secured because of the spacing arrangement of theapertures I8 and 44, and their aligned bases cause such sticks or handlemembers 20' to be aligned longitudinally While a binding pressure isexerted from an angle both longitudinally and transversely of theapparatus, thus wedging the stick or handle members 26 by a three-pointcontact both forwardly and laterally by the oblique sides of theapertures against the longitudinally flat bases thereof.

Thus, the sticks or handle members 20 are aligned both vertically andlongitudinally. In this manner it will be apparent that the handlesticks BI! are not impaled in any way whatsoever, and that when thelever 68 is moved to its open position the apertures 80 of theintermediate plate M are caused to be moved back again into exactvertical alignment, which permits the sticks' or handle members 20 todrop therethrough by gravitational force.

Although I have only described in detail two forms which the inventionmay assume, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that theinvention is not so limited, but that various modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit thereof or from the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having aplurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondarystructure consisting of a plurality ofv separable members each of whichis provided with a plurality of cor respondingly spaced stick receivingmeans, a separable actuating means having supplemental means foroperatively connecting said members 'together to form a unitarysecondary structure,

wedging means for operatively securing said unitary secondary structureto said main structure so that all of the stick receiving means will bealigned for the reception of sticks, and separable actuating means beingoperable when assembled on said secondary structure and the same isoperatively associated with the main structure for moving one of themembers of said secondary structure relative to the other member andsaid main structure for releasably securing said sticks therein.

2. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having aplurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondarystructure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of whichis provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receivingmeans, a sep arable actuating means including latching means foroperatively connecting said members together to form a unitary secondarystructure, releasable latch means for operatively securing saidsecondary structure to the main structure whereby each of the stickreceiving means will be aligned for they reception of sticks, andseparable actuating means operable'when the secondary-structure isoperativelyassociated with said main structure for-moving one'of themembers of said secondary structure-relative to the other member andsaid main tructure-for releasably securing said Sticks therein;

'3. A stick handling apparatus comprising i a main structure having aplurality of spaced stick receiving means, aseparable secondarystructure consisting of a pair of separable members each of which isprovided with a pluralityof correspondingly spaced stick receivingmeans, separablelatch means for operatively connecting said memberstogether to form aunitary secondary structure, pivotal latch means foroperatively securing said secondary structure to the main struc. turewitheach of the stick receivingmea-ns being aligned for the receptionof, sticks, and actuating means carried by said separable latch meansfor moving the bottom member of said secondary structure relative to itstop member and the main structure when said structures are operativelyassociated for releasably securing said sticks therein.

4. A stick handling apparatus comprising a ain plate structure havingaipluralityof spaced stick receiving means in the bottom thereof andoutwardly projecting guide means, a separable secondary structureadapted to' engage said guiding means of the main structure. whenoperatively associatedtherewith; said secondary structure having a pairof separable. spaced plat'e'members each having correspondingly spacedstick receiving means, separable latchmean for re:- leasably connectingsaid plate members together,

pivotal latching means for releasably securing] the top plate member-ofsaid secondary structure to the main plate structure, and actuating;means integrally formed withsaid separable latch means for moving thebottom plate memberrelative to its top plate member and the mainframestructure when said structures are operatively associated for releasablysecuring sticks in said st ck receiving means.

5. A stick handling, apparatuscomprising a" tray-like main structurehaving a plurality of spaced sticklreceiving means, a separablesecondary structure adapted to fit within said tray,

like main structure consisting of a pair of separable inverted tray-likemembers each of" which is provided with a plurality of correspondinglyspaced stick receivingimeans, means on one ,of said inverted members forengaging the other member releasably for connecting said memberstogether to form a-unitary secondary structure,

actuating means for securing releasably said sec.- ondary structureoperatively to said main structure so that the stick. receiving means,ofthe separable members will be aligned vertically for the reception ,ofsticks, andactuating means. for moving one of the members of saidsecondary structure relative to the other structure and said' lation aseparable secondary structure, a separable secondary structureconsisting of a pair of spaced separable superimposed plate members eachof which has a plurality of spaced stick receiving means correspondingto that of the Iii main plate structure, means on one of said plate 75members for engaging means on the other plate member for detachablyconnecting said members together to form a unitary structure, meansineluding a latch on said secondary structure for releasably securing itin operative association with said main plate structure whereby thestick receiving means of the apparatus will be substantially in verticalalignment for the reception of sticks, and means for moving the bottomplate of said secondary structure relative to it top plate andthe mainplate structure for wedgili yv securing said sticks vertically therein.'

'7. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main plate structure havinga pair of'sp'aced'ham dles for manipulating the same, a plurality ofspaced stick receiving apertures and spaced means for receiving asecondary structure, a separable secondary structure consisting of apair ofspaced separable superimposed plate members each'of which has aplurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving apertures, means on,one' of said plate members for engaging means on the other plate memberfor detachably connecting said members together to form a unitarystructure adapted to be superimposed on the main platev structure,spaced means including actuating means on said secondary structurefor,re leasably securing the top plate member thereof fixedlytosaid'main frame structure whereby the'stickree ceiving means will besubstantially in vertical alignment, and latch means including ahandleextending into juxtaposition to one of the handles,

of the main frame structure for moving the 'bot tom plate of saidsecondary structure relative to its top plate and the mainplatestructure for wedgingly securing said sticks vertically therein.

8. A stick handling apparatus comprising 7 a main plate structure havinga pair of spaced handles for manipulating the same, a plurality ofspaced stick receiving apertures and spaced mean for receiving asecondary structure, a separable secondarystructure consisting of. apair.

to said mainframe structure whereby the stick receiving means will besubstantially in vertical alignment, and actuating means includin ahandle extending into juxtaposition to one of the handles of the mainframe structurefor moving the-bottom plate of said'secondary structurerelative to its top plate 'andthe main plate structure for wedginglysecuring said sticks vertically therein; v

9. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main late structure havingapair ofsp'aced handles for manipulating the same, a plurality of spacedstick receiving apertures and spaced means for receiving a secondarystructure, a separable secondary structure consisting of a pair ofspaced separable superimposed plate members each of which has aplurality of correspondingly spaced stick receiving apertures, means onone of said plate members for engaging means on the other plate memberfor detachably connecting said members together to form a unitarystructure adapted to be superimposed on the main plate structure, spacedmeans including actuating means on said secondary structure forreleasably securing the top plate thereof fixedly to said main framestructure whereby the stick receiving means will be substantially invertical alignment, and actuating means associated with the means forsecuring the plate members of the secondary structure together formoving the bottom plate of the secondary structure relativ to its topplate and the main plate structure for wedgingly securing said sticksvertically therein.

10. A stick handling apparatus comprising a tray-like main structurehaving a plurality of spaced stick receiving apertures, spaced securingmeans for receiving a secondary structure and guide means extendinglongitudinally for aligning said secondary structure therein, aseparable secondary structure adapted to engage said guide meansconsisting of a pair of separable traylike plate members each of whichis provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receivingapertures, each of said plate members being provided with cooperativemeans for releasably securing them together into a unitary secondarystructure, said top tray-lik member of said secondary structure havingspaced means including an actuating member for engaging the spaced meanson the main structure to secure fixedly said structures together withtheir respective stick receiving apertures in substantially verticalalignment, and actuating means extending outwardly from the apparatusfor moving the bottom plate of the secondary structure relative to itstop plate and the main structure for securing wedgingly said sticksvertically therein,

11. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having aplurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondarystructure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of whichis provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receivingmeans, and actuating mechanism carried by said secondary structure, saidactuating mechanism being readily separable from said secondarystructure whereupon its members are released for cleaning purposes.

12. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having aplurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondarystructure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of whichis provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receivingmeans, and a separable actuating mechanism carried by said secondarystructure, said actuating mechanism being capable of moving one of themembers of the secondary structure relative to its other member and themain structure when said structures are operatively assembled.

13. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main structure having aplurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separable secondarystructure consisting of a plurality of separable members each of whichis provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stick receivingmeans, readily detachable actuating means for operatively connectingsaid members together to form a unitary secondary structure, latch meansfor operatively securing said secondary structure to the main structurewhereby each of the stick receiving means will be aligned for thereception of handle sticks, said detachable actuating means beingcarried by said secondary structure and being capable of moving one ofthe members of said secondary structure relative to the other member andsaid main structure for releasably securing said sticks therein whensaid structures are operatively assembled.

14. A stick handling apparatus comprising a main plate structure havinga plurality of spaced stick receiving means in the bottom thereof andoutwardly projecting guide means, a separable secondary structureadapted to engage said guiding means of the main structure whenoperatively associated, said secondary structure having a pair ofseparable spaced plate members each having correspondingly spaced stickreceiving means, means for releasably connecting said plate memberstogether, detachable actuating means for releasably securing the topplate member of said secondary structure to the main plate structure,and detachable actuating means for moving the bottom plate memberrelative to its top plate member and the main frame structureforreleasably securing sticks in said stick receiving means.

15. A stick handling apparatus comprising a tray-like main structurehaving a plurality of spaced stick receiving means, a separablesecondary structure adapted to fitwithin said traylike main structureconsisting of a pair of separable inverted tray-like members each ofwhich is provided with a plurality of correspondingly spaced stickreceiving means including a pair of off-set toggle links, means on oneof said inverted members for engaging the other members releasably forconnecting said member together.

to form a unitary secondary structure, actuating means for securingreleasably said secondary structure operatively to said main structureso that the stick receiving means of the separable members will bealigned vertically for the reception of sticks, and detachable actuatingmeans for moving one of the members of said secondary structure relativeto the other member and said main structure for releasably securing thesticks therein.

16. In a stick handling apparatus comprising a plurality of verticallyspaced horizontal plates each having a plurality of alignable stickreceiving means, said stick receiving means consisting of apertures oftriangular shape having their bases in vertical alignment and in a planeparallel with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and its other twosides extending angularly outward transversely of the apparatus withtheir re- :pective vertices all pointing in the same direcion.

HERMAN SIEMUND.

